W5 Posted February 25, 2011 Share Posted February 25, 2011 I have not seen it yet in/on any Canadian mediahttp://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/26/world/americas/26canada.html?ref=global-homeBy IAN AUSTENPublished: February 25, 2011OTTAWA — An evacuation flight chartered by the government of Canada made it into Tripoli on Friday morning, but after its crew was unable to find any Canadians at the chaotic airport, the airplane turned around and left empty. The plane, which was operated by a Toronto-based company that specializes in flying in conflict zones, was the first Canadian rescue flight to reach Libya after several false starts this week. Other than citing the general confusion at the airport, Peter MacKay, the defense minister, did not explain why no one from any other country boarded the plane when he disclosed the development in brief remarks to reporters. The aviation company, SkyLink, referred all questions about the unsuccessful flight to the government. Mr. MacKay hinted that the fault rested with his government’s foreign service. “That has to do with coordination on the ground, ensuring that people are aware that an exit is available to them,” Mr. MacKay said. “We’re trying to coordinate that through the Department of Foreign Affairs and through other countries.” Many of the Canadians who have fled Libya on aircraft and ships chartered by other countries have complained that they found it difficult, if not impossible, to contact Canadian diplomatic officials in Tripoli or, if they did, said that they were given conflicting messages. A spokeswoman for the Department of Foreign Affairs said she was unable to immediately comment. The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation reported that another chartered flight was dispatched to Tripoli following the botched rescue of 213 Canadians who have indicated that they want to leave. Mr. MacKay said that a Canadian Forces C-17, a large cargo jet, was standing by in Rome but had been unable to obtain Libyan landing clearances. Another military aircraft being used by David Johnston, the governor general of Canada, for a state visit to Kuwait, has also been made available to help with the evacuation. Several Canadian companies have employees in Libya, most prominently SNC-Lavalin, a construction and engineering firm from Montreal that is building a large prison for the Libyan government, among other projects. It did not respond to requests for comment. But in a Twitter posting about the evacuation on Friday, the company said that “things continue to go well,” adding that another wave of employees were preparing to flee Libya. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J.O. Posted February 26, 2011 Share Posted February 26, 2011 So, whose airplane was it? Skylink doesn't have a fleet that could fly that mission. Who did they charter? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AME Posted February 26, 2011 Share Posted February 26, 2011 Faille said Ottawa should have taken steps before Libya descended into chaos to prepare an exit plan for Canadians on the ground.For what it's worth I think the politics should be saved for after everyone is safe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mo32a Posted February 26, 2011 Share Posted February 26, 2011 Well the Bloc could charter an aircraft and get all the Quebecers out I guess.Or, gosh, maybe SNC Lavelin could charter an aircraft/boat for their employees. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
W5 Posted February 26, 2011 Author Share Posted February 26, 2011 So, whose airplane was it? Skylink doesn't have a fleet that could fly that mission. Who did they charter?Air Italy, B757 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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